Hey everyone – thank God it’s Friday! There’s nothing more tiring than your first week back to work after a long vacation. After almost three weeks away, this week felt… a little long for some reason. LOL! I can honestly say I’m ready for a couple of true days off with no travel, no work… maybe even no stitching? Ha! Not likely on that one – but my goal is to not do much of anything else besides that and rest. You know me though. I can tell you I’m going to simmer down for some much-needed R&R, but we all know it won’t take long for my brain to nag me off the couch and back to working on something. I can’t help it!
If you caught me LIVE yesterday on my STITCH with Lisa Bongean YouTube channel you heard me mention now that Moda Blockheads 4 is over, I am getting ready to start my next quilt-along. I’m excited to announce that starting next Friday Sewcialites 2 will be in full swing. If you’re not familiar with this quilt-along let me tell you how it works! Sewcialites 2 is a sequel to Sewcialites 1 – a quilt-along hosted by Kim Jolly of Fat Quarter Shop, created to celebrate the quilting community with a free block release for 24 weeks. Fat Quarter Shop has again collaborated with 24 highly talented designers to bring you all new unique sampler blocks with a ton of options! Starting Friday, October 21, 2022 through April 14th, 2023, a new block will be released each week on Friday with breaks for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Two additional weeks afterward will be dedicated to finishing and backing the quilt.
As I mentioned earlier, this year’s Sewcialites quilt is made up of 24 blocks designed by 24 individual designers. The difficulty level of each pattern is marked from beginner level to experienced. Each block is constructed using straight seams and traditional piecing techniques. Isn’t she a beauty?
You know how I love a quilt with options! This quilt has three size options including 3”, 6”, and 9” finished blocks. To get started you will need the Sewcialites 2 Information Packet, which includes the fabric requirements, a coloring sheet, the complete block schedule, and a list of optional foundation paper supplies. The fabric requirements are listed for each quilt size, but you can certainly get a good start with your existing stash. And great news! All the quilt sizes are pre-cut friendly! Fat Quarter Shop recommends starting with a Layer Cake for the 3″ blocks, and using a Fat Quarter Bundle for the 6″ and 9″ blocks. To get your copy of the Sewcialites 2 Information Packet visit the Jolly Jabber!
Newly released blocks can always be found on Kim’s blog The Jolly Jabber, along with a video tutorial on her YouTube Livestream the same day. Each designer will also post their own block to either their blog or their website on that day as well. I will also be posting each block release here on MY blog every Friday for your convenience. Fabric requirements and all block patterns will be posted on the Sewcialites 2 Landing Page, which you can access by clicking the link below. If you’d like to get automatic updates on Sewcialites 2 you can subscribe to the blog by signing up in the Email subscription box by visiting the Landing Page, or by subscribing to the YouTube channel by clicking HERE.
One of the best things about this quilt-along is it’s never too late to start – you can join us at any time! Previously released blocks will be posted on the Sewcialites 2 Landing Page along with my blog in the Sewcialites 2 Block Archive, which is listed in the main menu of links at the top of the page.
Excited to get started? I know I am! If you want to see more, be sure to hit up Fat Quarter Shop’s YouTube Channel this Friday, September 30 at 9:00 a.m. CST for a preview of the blocks! To stay even more in the loop you can also meet up with your fellow Sewcialites online by joining the Sewcialites Lounge on Facebook. You’ll get weekly updates and be able to ask questions and share your progress!
Alright, I think that’s enough information for one night! Time to put this lap top aside for a couple days and enjoy my family. I missed them after being away for so long – even Nick! LOL Just kidding, I love my guy and always miss him when we’re apart…for long periods of time anyway! Have a great weekend everyone, and try to stay warm if you’re in WI. For those of you who aren’t you should know that we saw our first snow fall of the year this afternoon! Nothing stuck, but it’s a sure sign that there’s no turning back. Winter is near! At this point the only thing we can do is embrace it. Lots of people aren’t happy about it but I really don’t mind – especially for the first half of the season when everything is so fresh and pretty. I find that the trick is finding something about winter that you love and can look forward to each year. For me it’s the holidays and of course, skiing! Heidi and I are both due for some new skis this season so it will be fun to shop for those, and even more fun to use them. If you’re a skier, you know that’s pretty exciting stuff, getting new skis. Almost like getting a new car! Heidi swears in some ways it’s better…
How do you keep your spirits up all winter long? Let me know in the comments! Are the holidays your thing, or are you happier after the first of the year once things settle down? Do you enjoy winter sports, or are you better at winter couch surfing with a project in your hands? Tell me all about it! I will see you all again next week. Until then take care and try to stay out of trouble. Bye for now! ~Lisa